A Skinful of Shadows

Since its purchase I’ve read this book more than once and with each reading have been struck by the richness of Ms Hardinge’s storytelling. With so many twists and turns in the plot, I won’t detail the story itself—too afraid of spoilers—but will say she has the ability to sum up an essential concept in a single exquisite sentence. The first chapter alone contains one of the most perfect I have ever read. I won’t quote it here (read the book!) but it speaks of priests, parents and children so truthfully, and poetically, it’s a delight.

No matter how dark things get—and believe it, this story gets very dark and very creepy indeed—within the dark there is light, there is love and there is an underlying moral compass (and if ‘moral compass’ sounds pious, it’s not—here it’s a lively, intelligent, very practical thing). She explores the political machinations of the time and the ordinary people caught in the squeeze. The human relationships are complex, rife with tension and, as such, believable. She creates profound connections to the natural world without sentimentality. Makepeace’s poignant alliance with Bear, a case in point; as is the mouse in the graveyard. This book, like her others, stirs the emotions and challenges you to think. All these elements are seamlessly weaved into a great, exciting adventure—there’s no dearth of action. Makepeace is a scrappy, resilient heroine who has the wit to see what needs to be done and the gumption to do it, even when it terrifies her. You’re rooting for her all the way.

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This is beautifully written, classic fiction. Not just for YA, but for those of us who have left our YA years far behind.

Take another step and you will venture into a world where cruelty and civil unrest is an everyday normality; and encountering beasts, ghosts, inquisitors, a reality for intrepid not quite 13 year old Makepeace. She can just about write an "M" as her mark, but soon, death’s proximity will add an impetus to her supernatural powers, a much needed attribute to defeat her nefarious ancestors, for they could wield a power too terrible to imagine.

"She had seen people read, their gaze floating down the lines like a leaf on a stream-current". The imaginative, complex plot, ambitious articulate writing, and cascade of beautifully executed metaphors will soon alert you to a narrative of excellent quality. This is the product of back braking work. Interest age for older teens from 15 to 90.

When you pick up a Frances Hardinge book, there are certain things you can expect. First, that the language will be rich, almost poetic, full of apt metaphors and strong descriptions, but a smooth delight to read, no impenetrable 'high literature'. Suitable for the target YA audience, but no less enjoyable for adult readers. There will be a vivid world and an interesting premise, explored thoroughly and organically as the plot progresses. There will probably be a resourceful and determined young heroine who refuses to simply stand by and accept unfairness and cruelty. She will likely go on some sort of journey, probably with companions for some of it, who may or may not be trustworthy but will always be interesting. There will be villains with entirely human motivations, and even the smallest side-character will feel like a real person. The world will likely be chaotic, with events much bigger than the heroine, and a hornet's nest thoroughly kicked by her refusal to accept an unjust status quo.

And in the case of A Skinful of Shadows, there will be a grounds-eye view of both sides of the civil war filled with fascinating little details like folk remedies and the practices of spies, there will be ghosts, puritans, family, betrayal, witch-finders, bears, prophets, and, above all, a thoroughly enjoyable story.

It was OK not too sure I would read any more by this author.

There’s not many books that stay with me long after I’ve read them, but A skinful of shadows certainly has. The grim, 17th century setting is steeped in conspiracy and superstition, and the shadow of a brewing civil war. The description is thorough and detailed, and vividly paints every scene for the reader, from Grizehayes to Oxford to Whitehollow and back again. I especially loved the banter between Makepeace and her ghostly passengers. The Felmottes were brilliantly ghastly and vindictive villains, Symond the very best. I am sad to have finished this read for the third time.

Bought this book on everybody's praise for Frances Hardinge; now I am a fan.

Beautifully written, the story is more than a poverty girl, gone orphan, then escaping a terrible curse. It's about social injustice and corruption, friendship and loyalty, determination and bravery. There is a naive element to the fantasy, but all characters, their emotions and dreams, were drawn up very maturely as best found on classic novels.

If I had my way every child in the world would have the opportunity to read A Skinful of Shadows as well as Frances Hardinge’s earlier novel, The Lie Tree. I implore you to wrap up A Skinful of Shadows and pop it under the Christmas tree for anybody between the ages of about 12-16 or order it from the library as an absorbing fabulous holiday read for kids to curl up with over the winter holidays.

A Skinful of Shadows is a captivating story and Hardinge’s prose seethes with atmosphere. There isn’t a scene or a character that you can’t smell, hear and feel beneath your skin. An incredible achievement.

Twelve year old Makepeace is an exquisitely drawn heroine and the perfect protagonist for this challenging tale. She is feisty and strong in a quiet, realistic and reassuring sort of way and she carries the reader along with her and her ghosts like a whirlwind.

I’d heard the A Skinful of Shadows was a ghost story, a genre I’m not overly keen on, and only my huge enjoyment of the Lie Tree led me to take the leap of faith and buy it - I am very glad that I did. Yes, it is a ghost story of sorts but don’t let that put you off, it’s like nothing you’ve ever read before.

I listened to the audio book which was gripping and beautifully performed by Tuppence Middleton.

This is a remarkable work of the imagination that manages to keep its coherence throughout. Makepeace is brought up by her mother in Poplar. It is not an easy relationship. They remain an isolated unit, estranged from the cousins they lodge with. Makepeace is tormented by nightmares. On warm nights Makepeace’s mother locks her into a vault in the graveyard so that she can learn how to do battle with ghosts. Increasingly rebellious, Makepeace runs away. Her mother pursues her and they are both caught up in an apprentices’ march against the king. Makepeace’s mother is killed. Distraught Makepeace returns home where she witnesses the cruel death of a dancing bear. Furious, she lashes out at the bear’s owners. Her cousins, unwilling to keep her and afraid of her violence, get in touch with the family her mother had run from. She is escorted back to Grizehayes, imprisoned and tortured before being rescued by her uncle and sent to work in the kitchens. She discovers that she is the bastard daughter of Sir Peter Fellmotte and that she has a half-brother James, another of Sir Peter’s bastards. Slowly she realises what the source of her violence is and why she is valuable to the Fellmottes.

Meanwhile, the king has raised his standard at Oxford and civil war has broken out. This becomes the background to Makepeace’s story.

There are lots of adventure stories built round the Civil War but this is a completely new take on the conflict and the place of ordinary people in the plans of the rich and powerful. It is enthralling and exciting, sweeping you along on the wave of its fantasy, making an impossibility seem totally credible.

I suspect the intended audience is that amorphous group, ‘young adult’, but I believe even aged adults will enjoy it hugely.

I'm always impressed with how different the novels of Frances Hardinge are - and yet always unfailingly beautiful, sad, funny, and brave. Mostly, I think, they are about what it means to be human, to struggle, to make compromises, to come up with solutions that are by no means perfect but that help you keep going.

This book combines so many different topics (war, religion, the meaning of family, questions of identity) and at the same time manages to tell a gripping tale. I absolutely loved it.

A can't put down book! Not my usual genre, but I've enjoyed every page. I'll be looking out for her next novel!

I will admit I was a bit skeptical after reading the synopsis in a book shop. Having time to start a new book I took the chance and I’m so glad that I did.

I’m not one for ghost tales in general, but this plot for this one tethered me.

A necromancy of a sort is practiced by a high holding family steeped with legacy and secrets. A young bastard girl is sucked into this family drama after losing her mother and sent to them, her fatherhood’s family.

A bubbling war bursts upon the country and matches the battles that have been simmering within the confines of the family’s estate. The girl has been kept more like a prisoner and house servant than any sort of family member. The war provides an opportunity to escape and along the way she learns some terrible family secrets that ignite the will to endure and rise above the curse of her family.

This author creates a new way to look at ghosts and spirits and the vessels that can store them. I would love to keep reading about the characters- even if some of the Puritan names drive me a little crazy.

The ending had all the feels and propped me up for more!

A well-written story which held my interest right through. I highly recommend it to other readers I am sure they will enjoy it.

This is probably one of the creepiest of Frances Hardinge's books, but as the other books I have read so far by this author A Skinful of Shadows is full of creativity and unconventional ideas packed into an interesting story.